Two separate legislative pushes, both from Missouri representatives, have been made to protect the lives of the unborn. At the federal level, Representative Eric Burlison, R-Springfield, introduced a bill titled the “Life At Conception Act,” asserting that a fetus is a person under the 14th Amendment. At the state level, Representative Brian Seitz, R-Branson, introduced a heartbeat bill as a house joint resolution. Both of these proposed bills come just short of three months after Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment that, in effect, overturned a previously established abortion ban.
In appealing to the 14th Amendment, Representative Burlison opens the door for abortion to be treated as homicide at the national level. The 14th Amendment states, “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
Burlison stated in a news release, “I am strongly pro-life and will always fight to protect the lives of the unborn. My record is clear, both in Missouri and Washington, D.C., I have consistently voted to protect the life of the child and the health of the mother. I will continue to do so moving forward.” While this bill doesn’t create any prohibitions of abortion explicitly, it lays the groundwork for law to be enacted treating the unborn with equal protection. The official text of the bill is not yet available.
It is uncertain how much support the bill will have at the federal level. With President Trump’s second term starting strong and a Republican majority in both houses of Congress, the circumstances are better than ever. The biggest question is, and has always been, can Republicans unite to protect the unborn, or will more moderate members of the party stifle the attempt?
The state level resolution would bring the issue once again before Missouri voters in November of 2026. House Joint Resolution No. 39 would require doctors performing abortions to file detailed reports, and would prohibit the procedures once a heartbeat is detected. Medical emergencies remain an exception.
Except in cases of medical emergency, a physician shall not knowingly perform or induce an abortion on a pregnant woman unless the physician has determined whether the woman’s unborn child has a detectable fetal heartbeat.
This resolution, if approved by voters, would repeal amendment 3 that was voted on last November and was approved by a narrow margin. “The Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative” was adopted and a judge ruled that the previously established abortion ban was rendered unconstitutional. Before the amendment passed, the ban that was in place prohibited abortion of any kind, except for medical emergency, and would charge the performing doctor with a Class B felony. The mother would not be charged under the ban.
Before voters can weigh in, the proposed resolution will need to be approved and put on the ballot. The governor also has the option to call a special election to have voters decide earlier than the 2026 election cycle.
